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Kearney rules out Warriors job

Ian McCullough and Jim Morton

Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney says he has no interest in replacing Matt Elliott at the Warriors on a day the NRL club's multi-millionaire owners became embroiled in a bitter war of words.

Less than a week after Elliott's messy departure following a heavy loss to the previously winless Cronulla, co-owners Eric Watson and Sir Owen Glenn came out throwing verbal punches over the manner of his exit.

Kearney has been perennially linked with the role over the years, but said on Thursday he was happy with his current position as an assistant to Anthony Griffin at Brisbane.

"At this stage my responsibility is with the Broncos and I really enjoy being here with the club. It's a great club and a great group of players," Kearney said.

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"I wouldn't put my hand up."

Despite possessing a richly-talented squad and being one of the best-resourced clubs in the NRL, the Warriors have yet to win a premiership and not haven't finished in the top eight over the last two season since Ivan Cleary guided the team to the 2011 grand final.

Kearney denied the Warriors players needed to be treated differently for a coach to succeed and said the club are vitally important for the game.

"I thought Ivan did a fair job with them and I don't think he would have treated them any differently to how he would at the Panthers," he said.

"It's important for our game - important for the NRL and important for our game back home - that they are successful on and off the field."

Australia coach Tim Sheens' name was also linked with the job this week but he he hosed down reports he was heading across the Tasman.

Sheens has been out of the NRL since his acrimonious departure from the Wests Tigers in 2012 but did have discussions with the Warriors prior to Elliott's appointment.

"It's just a beat-up and everyone is using my name as a headline," Sheens said.

"I'm not ruling it out but ... at the moment my focus is the Kangaroos this year and that's all I'm worried about.

"I'm employed at the moment. The Kangaroos job keeps me very busy."

On a remarkable day in Auckland, Glenn described the Warriors' actions as "diabolical" and "dishonourable" and said he was disappointed to have no input in Elliott's axing.

The Monaco-based philanthropist - who wants to sell his shares in the club - also described Watson's management style as overbearing.

"He thinks it's his club, he says one thing and does another or he reneges on it. And you can't work like that," Glenn told Radio Sport.

Watson, who's also in dispute with Glenn over the value of his shares which he wants to buy, accused his former friend of damaging the club with his claims.

"It's incredibly disruptive at a time of change," Watson said.

"Why cause a club damage that you are trying to sell shares in? No one gets it."

Watson countered that Elliott's departure had the full support of the board and Glenn had previously written to the club requesting no consultation in decisions because of legal issues surrounding his shareholding.

Elliott said on Thursday he held no resentment over his departure and backed former assistant Andrew McFadden, who has the job until the end of the season, to be a success.

"I have absolutely no bitterness towards the club," he said.

"In fact I am very grateful for what they have done for me and my family."